Sexual abuse involving a former volunteer at Palo Verde High School and Cornerstone Christian Fellowship Church and Academy

Trial lawyers representing survivors of sexual assault in schools and churches

Recent allegations of sexual abuse involving a former volunteer at Palo Verde High School and Cornerstone Christian Fellowship Church and Academy have sent shockwaves through our Las Vegas community. If you or a loved one have been assaulted by this individual, you should understand that you’re not alone and that there are legal options available to help you seek justice.

Michael “Luke” Atwell, 72, who served as the facilities director for Cornerstone Christian Fellowship and volunteered at the high school, is now facing criminal charges for sexual abuse. Per Yahoo News:

Michael “Luke” Atwell, 72, faces several charges of lewdness and sex assault against a child, records said. Up until his arrest, Atwell worked as a volunteer coach at Palo Verde High School. He also worked as a building manager at a church, police said.

On Oct. 28, a person reported to Metro police that Atwell sexually assaulted a child when the child was between the ages of 11 and 14, documents said. The child was known to Atwell and did not appear to be in his care at any school, according to the report.

At Claggett & Sykes Trial Lawyers, we’re committed to helping survivors hold not only the abuser but also the institutes that failed to protect them accountable.

Contents:

• What are the allegations against Atwell?
• What is the impact of sexual abuse?
• How can I hold an institution accountable for my sexual assault?
• What is the statute of limitations on sexual assault in Nevada?
• How can your Las Vegas personal injury attorneys help?

What are the allegations against Atwell?

Atwell volunteered at Palo Verde High School in Las Vegas and held a role at Cornerstone Christian Fellowship Church and Academy, which is affiliated with the Foursquare Church. He may also have been involved in youth fellowship events, placing him in direct contact with children and young adults over the years.

Yahoo further reports:

According to the witness, Atwell allegedly bought the child items and would invite the child into a jacuzzi without clothing and also shower with him, documents said. Detectives suspect the alleged sex abuse happened in those spaces and in Atwell’s bedroom, they said.

Detectives spoke with Atwell at the school on Nov. 19. During the interview, he informed police he had a handgun on his hip. He denied any sexual involvement with the victim.

Police later located several items that they said corroborated the victims’ statements, including a sex toy and a specific kind of soap, in his residence.

A report from the Metropolitan Police Department states that there are other victims as well, including a woman now in her 30s, that woman’s daughter, another woman in her 30s who was a student of Atwell, and her son.

It’s important to know that in many cases of sexual abuse involving schools or religious organizations, the abuse often spans over many years and affects multiple victims. Abusers often exploit their positions of trust and authority to manipulate and harm vulnerable individuals. Schools and churches are supposed to be safe spaces, but when institutions like these fail to conduct thorough background checks, ignore warning signs, or neglect to supervise staff and volunteers, they create an environment where abuse is allowed to occur.

If you suspect that Atwell’s abusive behavior may have gone unnoticed or unaddressed, consider coming forward. Your story can help uncover the full extent of the abuse and help prevent others from becoming victims in the future. Our Las Vegas attorneys are experienced in representing child and adult victims of sexual assault and sexual abuse and are here to help.

What is the impact of sexual abuse?

Sexual abuse can have a devastating and long-lasting effect on survivors. It’s not just a physical violation; it causes emotional and psychological trauma that can affect every aspect of a person’s life. Some common effects of sexual abuse include:

• Survivors often experience anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These emotional challenges can make it difficult to maintain relationships, pursue academic or career goals, and enjoy everyday life.
• Abuse by someone in a position of authority, such as a teacher or a church leader, can ruin a survivor’s ability to trust others, particularly authority figures.
• The stress and trauma of abuse can lead to physical health problems, like chronic pain, headaches, and gastrointestinal issues.
• Survivors may struggle with intimacy and trust in their personal relationships.

If you or a loved one have experienced any of these as a result of sexual abuse, you have the right to seek compensation and justice for the harm you’ve suffered.

How can I hold an institution accountable for my sexual assault?

In addition to holding the abuser criminally responsible, it’s also often possible to pursue a personal injury lawsuit against the institutions that failed to protect you. Both Palo Verde High School and Cornerstone Christian Fellowship Church may hold some responsibility for Atwell’s abuse if they:

• Failed to conduct proper background checks on volunteers or staff
• Ignored complaints or warning signs of inappropriate behavior
• Lacked adequate supervision of volunteers and staff
• Did not implement or enforce policies to protect children from abuse

Remember, institutions like churches and schools have a duty of care to ensure the safety of their children and families. If they fail in this duty, they can be held legally responsible for the harm that happens.

What is the statute of limitations on sexual assault in Nevada?

The statute of limitations limits the time you have to file a claim. In Las Vegas, there are several rules related to the statutes of limitations that might apply, including:

• NRS 11.215. This statute permits the victim of childhood sexual abuse or sexual exploitation to file a lawsuit at any time after the abuse or exploitation occurs. Unlike most other personal injury lawsuits, there is no statute of limitations that limits the time in which a victim must file the lawsuit.
• NRS 11.217. This statute governs the statute of limitations for civil actions based on the sexual assault of an adult. This statute also removes any limitations on the time period in which an adult victim of sexual assault must file the lawsuit.
• NRS 41.1396. NRS 41.1396 allows victims of child pornography in Nevada to file a civil lawsuit against their abuser at any time, effectively eliminating the statute of limitations for such claims.
• NRS 41.13965. This statute allows human trafficking victims in Nevada to file civil lawsuits against their traffickers and those who profit from trafficking. Victims can seek damages for physical, emotional, and financial harm, as well as punitive damages. The law provides a 20-year statute of limitations from the date the victim escapes or discovers the harm, giving survivors more time to pursue justice.

If you were a victim, and even if your abuse occurred long ago, you may still have time to file a lawsuit. The Las Vegas sexual assault attorneys at Claggett & Sykes Trial Lawyers can determine which statute of limitations applies to your case.

How can your Las Vegas personal injury attorneys help?

It can be overwhelming to deal with the legal system, especially when you’re trying to handle the emotional aftermath of sexual abuse. That’s where Claggett & Sykes Trial Lawyers come in. Our team of compassionate and experienced personal injury attorneys is here to guide you through every step of the process. Let us help you:

• Understand your legal rights. We can explain your options for pursuing a civil lawsuit, including who can be held liable for your assault and what amount of compensation you may be entitled to.
• Gather evidence. Building a strong case for you requires thorough investigation and evidence gathering. We work to collect documentation, witness statements, and expert testimony to support your claim.
• File a personal injury lawsuit. If you decide you want to move forward, we handle all the aspects of filing and handling your lawsuit so you can focus on healing.
• Negotiate a settlement. Many sexual assault cases are resolved through negotiation rather than a jury trial. If and when any settlement offers are made, we’ll talk to you and help determine if the offer is fair to you or not.
• Represent you at trial. If we can’t reach a fair settlement, our lawyers are always prepared to take a case to trial and fight for justice.

Coming forward about sexual abuse is never easy, but it’s important to remember that you are not alone. There are many resources available to support survivors, including counseling services and support groups.

By sharing your story, you may also help other survivors find the courage to come forward and seek justice. With your help, we can hold abusers and negligent institutions accountable, creating a safer community for everyone.

We understand that discussing your experience can be difficult, and we are committed to providing a safe, confidential space for you to share your story. Our consultations are completely confidential, and you are under no obligation to take further action.